Dubai: Full-Day Private Tour with Optional Burj Khalifa Tickets

This full-day private tour pairs Dubai's historic core with its skyline of glass and steel. You'll start among the wind-tower houses of Al Bastakiya before moving through the city to photo stops at the landmarks that define modern Dubai: Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Marina and the Dubai Frame. At the centre of it all is the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building at 828 metres, where an optional ticket takes you up to the 124th/125th or all the way to the 148th floor in the world's fastest elevator.

The day also slows down at Souk Madinat, an Arabic-style shopping complex where restaurants and shops sit within view of the Atlantis hotel on Palm Island. Later, a traditional abra boat crosses Dubai Creek to the spice and gold souks, where the narrow lanes are lined with stalls selling fabrics, spices and jewellery. It's a chance to sample street food and browse at your own pace, with time built into the itinerary rather than rushed past.

Running around 8 hours with hotel pickup and drop-off included, the tour moves at a private pace between Dubai's old trading quarters and its 21st-century skyline. Choose the version that includes Burj Khalifa access, or take the city tour on its own.

The day begins with hotel pickup and a drive into Al Bastakiya, Dubai's historic quarter, where wind-tower buildings and narrow alleys give a sense of the city before the skyscrapers arrived. From there, the tour moves through downtown Dubai for a photo stop at the Burj Khalifa; if you've chosen a ticket option, this is where you'll head up to either the 124th/125th or 148th floor for views over the city and coastline. The route continues past Palm Jumeirah, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Marina and the Dubai Frame, with stops for photos along the way.

In the afternoon, you'll spend time at Souk Madinat, an Arabic-style shopping and dining complex with views of the Atlantis hotel on Palm Island. The final stretch of the day takes you across Dubai Creek by traditional abra boat to the spice and gold souks, where you can wander the stalls, taste local street food and shop for spices, fabrics or gold. The tour runs approximately 8 hours in total, ending with drop-off back at your hotel.